Page 45 of Chasing Luna

“Isabela, come back in!” I hear Katarina’s voice boom from the inside.

I run and stay by the doorway. “What? Why?” I ask.

“Grandmother’s coming back home.” She exhales, and leans on her knees to catch her breath. “We just have to hold on for a bit.”

I nod and spot a figure looming behind my sister. “Kat! Behind you!” I squeal and she instantly spins just in time for a wolf to lunge at her. Katarina puts an arm up and she gets bit and dragged across the room. “No!” I growl and prepare to throw my dagger again, when Katarina shoots flames from the palms of her hands.

“Nice try,” she says plainly, and places her palm on the face of the wolf. Its fur burns in between her fingers, her grip not letting up in the slightest. It tries to break free, but Katarina’s fire is quick to take effect. My sister lets go, and the wolf staggers backward. Katarina raises her bloodied arm and points a long finger at the weakened creature. “This is the end of the line for you,” she remarks before uttering a spell that seems familiar to me.

Before long, a bolt of electricity shoots from her finger and hits the wolf directly on its chest, killing it instantly.

That’s impossible. How did she learn to do that?

Chapter Forty-Four

“You’re outmatched,” Katarina comments out of the blue once I get near to where she is.

“Kat, where—”

“Not now, Isabela. Stay where you are,” she instructs slowly, staring at something in the dark. A growl can be heard echoing in the room, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“Isabela,” I hear Gregory’s breathy voice linger behind me. I instinctively take several steps away from him.

“Where were you?” I ask, scanning his face for any injuries. He’s a little unkempt, but looks relatively unharmed.

“I went with the guards on patrol to check in on the rest of the pack, and scout the area in case there were more of them somewhere.” He gulps in air, before continuing. “Sorry, I can’t help more. If I turn right now, people might find out which pack I’m from,” he says in a low tone, making sure I’m the only one who can hear. Suddenly, a sweet smell combined with the scent of musk and sandalwood drifts in the space between all of us.

An Alpha? Gregory?I look at him and he looks just as confused by what’s happening.

“Come out,” Katarina commands, seemingly relaxed. But one look at her subtly flexing her fingers, and shifting her weight from one foot to the other, I know she’s preparing for a fight.

Even though she’s turning into an evil little liar like my grandmother, she’s still my sister. I know her too well. I smirk.No doubt about it, they are outmatched.

“Bold of you to face me on your own, princess.” The voice sends chills to my spine. A man, well into his late fifties, comes out from the shadows. He is flanked by two larger, intimidating wolves. Eyes shining in contrast to their dark furs, the sight is nothing short of menacing. Demonic, even. “I know your dear sister over there has yet to turn herself, meaning no powers. No way to defend herself if she gets attacked.”

He smirks and the two wolves growl in response, turning their attention from Katarina to me. “I wouldn’t underestimate my sister if I were you,” she spits out.

Thanks, sis. But now it feels like I’ve got a target on my back. I gulp.

“What do you want?” she finally asks the man. Behind me, I feel Gregory bristle. I look back and he’s looking far off into the distance.

“I want retribution. I want vengeance!” the man screams and howls erupt from behind him. “Do you know what your grandmother did to me? She tried to kill me and take my pack for herself!” he yells. “Traitorous and murderous, those are the traits of an Esperanza. I should’ve known better. I loved her.” He trails off and I grimace.

I did not need to know that.

“Isabela, someone’s coming from behind,” Gregory half-whispers.

I concentrate on where Gregory is peeking, and I see a couple of furry heads bobbing in the distance.Reinforcements? There are more of them?I panic. “Katarina,” I warn, but she doesn’t seem to hear me.

“What? Scared I’ll kill you now because dear little grandmother isn’t here to protect you?” the man taunts and Gregory steps a bit closer to me. I hold out my hand and let him see the silver in my belt. He backs away.

“Shut the fuck up.” I scoff, and subtly touch the hilt of my dagger in preparation for what’s to come.

This angers him though, and one of his wolves starts padding toward me. “I’m sure even though your sister here is skilled enough to take on one wolf, she can’t possibly take on three.” He laughs.

I have no choice. I have to fight.

“Don’t even think about it,” Katarina warns, but the wolf continues its advances. I take a step back, putting as much distance between us.